Mobile terminal and method of setting alarm therein

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal and a method of setting an alarm therein are provided. The mobile terminal includes a controller, a display unit, and a memory unit. The controller controls the display unit to display an alarm setting screen on which alarm dates are arranged in a first direction and alarm time points are arranged in a second direction, the alarm screen being displayed in an alarm setting mode and sets an alarm at a selected time point of each alarm date in response to selection of the alarm time point. The controller also controls the memory unit to store a set alarm on an alarm date and alarm time point. The display unit displays an alarm image at an intersection of an alarm date and an alarm time point of each set alarm.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/724,021 filed Dec. 21, 2012, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,630,150on Jan. 14, 2014, which is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/250,230, filed on Oct. 13, 2008, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 8,358,564 on Jan. 22, 2013, and claims priority from andthe benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0126040, filed onDec. 6, 2007, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference for allpurposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a method ofsetting an alarm therein, and more particularly, to a mobile terminaland a method of setting an alarm therein that may enable easy setting ofa plurality of alarms.

2. Discussion

Nowadays, due to the remarkable development of information andcommunication technology and semiconductor technology, the use ofvarious mobile terminals has rapidly increased and become widespread.Particularly, recent mobile terminals may include various new functionsin addition to a communication function such as voice communication anda character messaging service. Examples of functions added to the mobileterminal may include an alarm function and a calculator function.

However, an alarm function in the mobile terminal may be difficult touse. Particularly, when setting a plurality of alarms, the mobileterminal may individually set each alarm and separately manage the setalarms. Accordingly, it may be difficult for the user of the mobileterminal to check the set alarms in a bundle. For example, it may bedifficult for the user of the mobile terminal to determine whether analarm is set in the mobile terminal for a specific date or a specifictime point and to set an alarm according to the determination result.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a mobile terminal and a method of settingan alarm therein that may enable easy setting of a plurality of alarms.

Additional features of the invention will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

The present invention discloses a method of setting an alarm in a mobileterminal including displaying an alarm setting screen on which alarmdates are arranged in a first direction and alarm time points arearranged in a second direction, the alarm setting screen being displayedin an alarm setting mode, setting an alarm at a first alarm time pointof each alarm date in response to selection of the first time point, andreleasing the alarm of a first alarm date in response to selection ofthe first alarm date.

The present invention also discloses a method of setting an alarm in amobile terminal having a touch screen including displaying an alarmsetting screen on which alarm dates are arranged in a first directionand alarm time points are arranged in a second direction, the alarmsetting screen being displayed on the touch screen in an alarm settingmode, setting an alarm at a first alarm time point of each alarm date inresponse to detection of a touch and a drop on the first alarm timepoint, and releasing the alarm of a first alarm date in response to atouch and a drop on the first alarm date.

The present invention also discloses a mobile terminal including adisplay unit, a controller, and a memory unit. The controller controlsthe display unit to display an alarm setting screen on which alarm datesare arranged in a first direction and alarm time points are arranged ina second direction, the alarm setting screen being displayed in an alarmsetting mode and sets an alarm at a first time point of each alarm datein response to selection of the first time point. The controller alsocontrols the memory unit to store a set alarm on an alarm date and alarmtime point. The display unit displays an alarm image at an intersectionof the alarm date and alarm time point of the set alarm.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminalaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method of setting an alarm according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D, FIG. 3E, FIG. 3F, FIG. 3G, FIG. 3H,and FIG. 3I show examples of screens displayed in the method of settingan alarm of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of setting an alarm in a bundlein the method of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of releasing an alarm in themethod of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of individually setting an alarmin the method of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of inserting a memo in themethod of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown.This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure isthorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes oflayers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like referencenumerals in the drawings denote like elements.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” or “connected to” another element or layer, it can bedirectly on or directly connected to the other element or layer, orintervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on” or “directly connected to”another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layerspresent.

In the following description, the term “alarm” indicates notification ofa specific date or a specific time point in a mobile terminal. The term“alarm setting mode” indicates a mode of setting an alarm to occur at aspecific date or a specific time point in the mobile terminal. The alarmmay be a plurality of notifications set in a bundle to a plurality ofspecific dates, or may be individually set to each specific date. Theterm “alarm date” indicates at least one of an alarm date and an alarmday for which each alarm may be set in the mobile terminal. The term“alarm time point” indicates a time point for which each alarm may beset in the mobile terminal. The term “alarm image” indicates an imagenotifying that an alarm is set for a specific alarm date and alarm timepoint. Such an alarm image may be provided in various forms according tothe setting of the mobile terminal.

The term “alarm setting screen” indicates a screen displayed in an alarmsetting mode. In the alarm setting screen, alarm dates are arranged in afirst direction and alarm time points are arranged in a seconddirection. In this case, on the alarm setting screen, for each alarmdate arranged in the first direction, a highlighted area may extend inthe second direction, and for each alarm time point arranged in thesecond direction, a highlighted area may extend in the first direction.Here, the extended area of the first direction and that of the seconddirection may intersect. Further, when a preset alarm exists, the mobileterminal may display an alarm image corresponding to the preset alarm onthe alarm setting screen. In addition, the alarm setting screen mayinclude ‘add’, ‘memo’, and ‘complete’ input options.

The term “touch” indicates an operation in which a user of the mobileterminal touches a touch screen thereof with a stylus or a finger. Theterm “drop” indicates an operation in which the user of the mobileterminal removes the stylus or finger touching the touch screen from thetouch screen. The term “drag” indicates an operation in which the userof the mobile terminal moves the stylus or finger in a state where thefinger continues to touch the touch screen.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminal100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Inthe exemplary embodiment, the mobile terminal 100 is exemplified as amobile phone.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 includes a radio frequency(RF) unit 110, a controller 120, a memory unit 130, an audio processor140, a display unit 150, and a key input unit 160.

The RF unit 110 performs a wireless communication function of the mobileterminal 100. The RF unit 110 includes an RF transmitter to up-convert afrequency of a signal to be transmitted and amplify the signal, and anRF receiver to low-noise amplify a received signal and down-convert afrequency of the signal.

The controller 120 controls the general operations of the mobileterminal 100. The controller 120 includes a data processor including atransmitter to encode and modulate a signal to be transmitted and areceiver to demodulate and decode a received signal. The data processorincludes a modem and a codec. The codec includes a data codec to processpacket data and an audio codec to process an audio signal such as avoice.

The controller 120 controls the display unit 150 to display an alarmsetting screen in which alarm dates are arranged in a first directionand alarm time points are arranged in a second direction in an alarmsetting mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. If an alarm time point is selected, the controller 120 setsan alarm at the selected alarm time point of each alarm date.

Alternatively, when an ‘add’ input option is selected, if an alarm dateis selected, the controller 120 additionally sets an alarm at theselected alarm time point of the selected alarm date. In this case, thecontroller 120 controls the display unit 150 to display an alarm imageat an intersection of an alarm date and an alarm time point of an alarmset according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.Further, the controller 120 releases a preset alarm of the selectedalarm date. In addition, when a ‘memo’ input option is selected, thecontroller 120 inserts a memo into the selected alarm.

The memory unit 130 includes a program memory and a data memory. Theprogram memory stores programs to control general operations of themobile terminal 100. The program memory stores programs to set an alarmaccording to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The datamemory stores data generated while performing programs. The memory unit130 stores a preset alarm on an alarm date and alarm time point basis bythe control of the controller 120.

The audio processor 140 reproduces an audio signal received from theaudio codec of the data processor through a speaker SPK and transmits anaudio signal generated in a microphone MIC to the audio codec of thedata processor.

The display unit 150 displays user data output from the controller 120.The display unit 150 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) unitincluding an LCD controller, a memory to store image data, and an LCDdisplay element. If the LCD unit is embodied as a touch screen, thedisplay unit 150 may be operated as an input unit. In this case, thetouch screen detects an operation such as a touch, a drop, and a dragfrom a change in a value of a physical characteristic, for exampleresistance and capacitance. The touch screen converts the change in thevalue of the physical characteristic to a touch signal.

The key input unit 160 includes keys to input numeral and characterinformation and function keys to set various functions.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method of setting an alarm according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B,FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D, FIG. 3E, FIG. 3F, FIG. 3G, FIG. 3H, and FIG. 3I showexamples of screens displayed in the method of setting an alarm of FIG.2. FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D, FIG. 3E, FIG. 3F, FIG. 3G, FIG.3H, and FIG. 3I show a case where the display unit 150 of the mobileterminal is embodied as a touch screen. FIG. 3A shows a screen displayedin an alarm setting mode, FIG. 3B shows a screen displayed when an alarmtime point is selected, FIG. 3C shows a screen displayed when an alarmdate is selected, FIG. 3D and FIG. 3E show screens displayed when analarm is added, FIG. 3F and FIG. 3G show screens displayed when a memois inserted, FIG. 3H shows a screen displayed when another function isperformed, and FIG. 3I shows a screen displayed when a request toterminate an alarm setting process is input.

Referring to FIG. 2, the controller 120 determines whether a request toexecute an alarm setting mode is input (S211). If a request to executean alarm setting mode is input, the controller 120 controls the displayunit 150 to display an alarm setting screen (S213), as shown in FIG. 3A.In the example of FIG. 3A, the controller 120 arranges alarm dates in ahorizontal first direction and alarm time points in a vertical seconddirection on the alarm setting screen.

The controller 120 determines whether a specific alarm time point isselected on the alarm setting screen (S215). If a specific alarm timepoint is selected on the alarm setting screen, the controller 120 setsan alarm in a bundle at the selected alarm time point (S217), as shownin FIG. 3B. That is, if a specific alarm time point is selected withoutselecting a specific alarm date, the controller 120 sets an alarm at theselected alarm time point for all alarm dates in a bundle.

When the display unit 150 is embodied as a touch screen, if a touch isdetected on the touch screen when displaying the alarm setting screen,the controller 120 determines that an alarm time point of the touchposition is selected.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of setting an alarm in a bundleat step S217 of the method of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 4, if a specific alarm time point is selected, thecontroller 120 sets an alarm at the selected alarm time point of eachalarm date (S411). That is, the controller 120 sets an alarm in a bundleat an identical alarm time point of all alarm dates.

The controller 120 controls to display an alarm image at intersectionsof the selected alarm time point and each alarm date (S413), and theprocess returns to FIG. 2.

Although not shown in the screen example of FIG. 3B, when the displayunit 150 is embodied as a touch screen, if a drop is detected at a touchposition, the controller 120 performs steps S411 and S413. However, if adrop is not detected at a touch position, but rather a drag is detectedfrom the touch position in the first direction, the controller 120detects all alarm dates that are touched in the first direction of thedrag path. Thereafter, the controller 120 sets an alarm in a bundle atthe selected alarm time point of each alarm date included in the drag.Further, the controller 120 controls the display unit 150 to display analarm image at intersections of the selected alarm time points and thealarm dates included in the drag path, and the process returns to FIG.2.

If a specific alarm time point is not selected on the alarm settingscreen at step S215, the controller 120 determines whether a specificalarm date is selected on the alarm setting screen (S219). If a specificalarm date is selected on the alarm setting screen by a touch and drop,the controller 120 releases the alarm of the selected alarm date (S221),as shown in FIG. 3C. That is, if a specific alarm date is selectedwithout selecting a specific alarm time point, the controller 120releases the alarm of the selected alarm date.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of releasing an alarm at stepS221 of the method of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 5, if a specific alarm date is selected, thecontroller 120 determines whether an alarm exists at the selected alarmdate (S511).

If an alarm does not exist at the selected alarm date, the processreturns to FIG. 2. If an alarm exists at the selected alarm date, thecontroller 120 releases the alarm of the selected alarm date (S513).

The controller 120 removes an alarm image displayed at a positioncorresponding to the selected alarm date (S515), and the process returnsto FIG. 2.

If a specific alarm date is not selected at step 219, the controller 120determines whether an ‘add’ input option is selected on the alarmsetting screen (S223). If an ‘add’ input option is selected on the alarmsetting screen, as shown in FIG. 3D, the controller 120 individuallysets an additional alarm for a selected alarm time point and alarm date(S225), as shown in FIG. 3E. That is, if an ‘add’ input option isselected without having selected a specific alarm time point at step 215or an alarm date at step 223, the controller 120 individually sets anadditional alarm.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of individually setting an alarmat step S225 of the method of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 6, after an ‘add’ input option is selected, thecontroller 120 determines whether a specific alarm date and alarm timepoint are selected (S611). If a specific alarm date and alarm time pointare selected, the controller 120 sets an alarm at the selected alarmtime point of the selected alarm date (S613). In this case, the alarmdate and the alarm time point may be sequentially selected.

When the display unit 150 is embodied as a touch screen, if a touch isdetected on the touch screen, the controller 120 detects a correspondingalarm date and alarm time point at the touch position and sets an alarmat the detected alarm time point of the detected alarm date.

The controller 120 controls the display unit 150 to display an alarmimage at an intersection of the selected alarm date and alarm time point(S615), and the process returns to FIG. 2.

If an ‘add’ input option is not selected on the alarm setting screen atstep 223, the controller 120 determines whether a ‘memo’ input option isselected on the alarm setting screen (S227). If a ‘memo’ input option isselected on the alarm setting screen, as shown in FIG. 3F, thecontroller 120 inserts a memo (S229), as shown in FIG. 3G. In this case,the controller 120 inserts a memo written to correspond to a specificalarm.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of inserting a memo of step S229in the method of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 7, after a ‘memo’ input option is selected, thecontroller 120 determines whether a specific alarm image is selected(S711). If a specific alarm image is selected, the controller 120 writesa memo according to input by a user (S713).

The controller 120 inserts the memo written to correspond to theselected alarm image (S715), and the process returns to FIG. 2.

If a ‘memo’ input option is not selected on the alarm setting screen atstep S227, the controller 120 determines whether a request for anotherfunction is input on the alarm setting screen (S231). If a request foranother function is input on the alarm setting screen, as shown in FIG.3H, the controller 120 performs the corresponding function (S233). Forexample, the controller 120 may select which one of an audio signal, atext signal, and a vibration signal is to be used when a preset alarm isoutput. The controller 120 may select an alarm reproduction sound for analarm, or may enlarge or reduce a predetermined area of the alarmsetting screen to enable a user of the mobile terminal 100 to moreeasily select an alarm date or an alarm time point.

Alternatively, when the display unit 150 is embodied as a touch screen,if a sequential touch, drag, and drop action is detected at a specificalarm image, the controller 120 moves the alarm image to the dropposition. That is, the controller 120 may change an alarm date or alarmtime point.

The controller 120 determines whether a ‘complete’ input option isselected on the alarm setting screen (S235). If a ‘complete’ inputoption is selected on the alarm setting screen, as shown in FIG. 3I, thecontroller 120 terminates the alarm process. If a ‘complete’ inputoption is not selected on the alarm setting screen, the controller 120repeatedly performs steps S213 to S233 until a ‘complete’ input optionis selected.

As described above, according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, when an alarm is set in the mobile terminal, a plurality ofalarms may be easily set and released on a single screen. The mobileterminal may integrally manage preset alarms on the single screen.Thereby, a user of the mobile terminal may integrally check the presetalarms. Further, upon setting another alarm in the mobile terminal,checking of a preset alarm and setting of another alarm may be performedsimultaneously.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variation can be made in the present invention withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of setting an alarm in a mobileterminal, comprising: displaying an alarm setting screen on which alarmdates are arranged in a first direction and alarm time points arearranged in a second direction, the alarm setting screen being displayedin an alarm setting mode; setting an alarm at a first alarm time pointof each alarm date in response to selection of the first alarm timepoint; and releasing the alarm of a first alarm date in response toselection of the first alarm date.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising setting an additional alarm at a second alarm time point of asecond alarm date in response to selection of an ‘add’ input option fromthe alarm setting screen and selection of the second alarm time pointand the second alarm date.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdisplaying an alarm image at an intersection of an alarm date and analarm time point corresponding to each alarm.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising inserting a memo into a selected alarm in response toselection of a ‘memo’ input option from the alarm setting screen andselection of the alarm.
 5. A method of setting an alarm in a mobileterminal having a touch screen, comprising: displaying an alarm settingscreen on which alarm dates are arranged in a first direction and alarmtime points are arranged in a second direction on the touch screen, thealarm setting screen being displayed in an alarm setting mode; settingan alarm at a first alarm time point of each alarm date in response todetection of a touch and a drop at the first alarm time point; andreleasing the alarm of a first alarm date in response to detection of atouch and a drop at the first alarm date.
 6. The method of claim 5,further comprising setting an alarm at a second alarm time point of eachalarm date, wherein setting the alarm at the second alarm time pointcomprises: detecting an alarm date positioned within a drag path, inresponse to a touch and drag in the first direction at the second alarmtime point; and setting an alarm for the second alarm time point on eachalarm date positioned within the drag path.
 7. The method of claim 6,further comprising detecting a second alarm date and a third alarm timepoint corresponding to a detected touch position on the touch screen inresponse to selection of an ‘add’ input option and selection of thethird alarm time point and the second alarm date; and setting anadditional alarm at the third alarm time point of the second alarm date.8. The method of claim 5, further comprising displaying an alarm imageat an intersection of an alarm date and an alarm time pointcorresponding to each alarm.
 9. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising inserting a memo into a selected alarm in response toselection of a ‘memo’ input option from the alarm setting screen andselection of the alarm.
 10. A mobile terminal, comprising: a displayunit; a memory unit; and a controller to control the display unit todisplay an alarm setting screen on which alarm dates are arranged in afirst direction and alarm time points are arranged in a seconddirection, the alarm setting screen being displayed in an alarm settingmode, to set an alarm at a first time point of each alarm date inresponse to selection the first alarm time point, and to control thememory unit to store a set alarm on an alarm date and alarm time point,wherein the display unit displays an alarm image at an intersection ofan alarm date and an alarm time point corresponding to each alarm. 11.The mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein the controller releases a setalarm of a first alarm date in response to selection of the first alarmdate on the alarm setting screen.
 12. The mobile terminal of claim 10,wherein the alarm setting screen further displays an ‘add’ input option,and the controller sets an additional alarm at a selected second alarmtime point of a selected second alarm date in response to selection ofthe ‘add’ input option and selection of the second alarm time point andthe second alarm date.
 13. The mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein thealarm setting screen further displays a ‘memo’ input option, and thecontroller inserts a memo into a selected alarm in response to selectionof the ‘memo’ input option and selection of the alarm.
 14. The mobileterminal of claim 10, wherein the display unit is a touch screen todetect at least one of a touch and drop and a touch and drag to selectat least one of an alarm date and an alarm time point.
 15. The mobileterminal of claim 14, wherein the controller detects an alarm datepositioned within a drag path and sets an alarm at a selected secondalarm time point of each alarm date positioned within the drag path inresponse to detection of a touch and drag in the first direction at theselected second alarm time point.
 16. The mobile terminal of claim 14,wherein the alarm setting screen further displays an ‘add’ input option,and the controller detects a second alarm date and a second alarm timepoint corresponding to a detected touch position on the touch screen andsets an additional alarm at the second alarm time point of the secondalarm date in response to selection of the ‘add’ input option andselection of the second alarm date and the second alarm time point.